Don't Really Want to Go Out

Chapter 42

Inside the Secluded Cool Abode.

Swish, swish, swish, swish!

Qin Ming gripped the Blackwind Blade and diligently practiced the Blood Ignition Saber Technique over and over.

Yet he had not expected the Blood Ignition Saber Technique to be so exceptionally difficult to master.

Qin Ming had cultivated without pause for half a month, yet he had not even grasped the barest semblance of the first move.

This saber technique not only demanded precision, accuracy, and ruthlessness in exerting force, but also required exact control over Vital Energy Force.

Otherwise, he would be unable to trigger the flaming saber radiance, and its power would be greatly diminished.

Previously, Qin Ming had always relied on brute force, which was not very efficient.

Now, he needed to correct that state.

Knock, knock, knock!

As Qin Ming cultivated, knocking sounded from beyond the courtyard gate.

He hurriedly put away the Blackwind Blade and peered outside through the peephole.

"Why is it him again?" Qin Ming frowned when he spotted the person outside.

The visitor was none other than Chen Zi'ang.

Half a month ago, Qin Ming had fallen out with his master, Jiang Kun, and things had ended rather unpleasantly.

Why had this fellow come looking for him again so soon?

Qin Ming hesitated briefly, but still opened the door for him.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, What Matter brings you here?"

When Chen Zi'ang saw Qin Ming come out, delight immediately appeared on his face.

He cautiously looked around before asking.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, may we speak inside?"

Qin Ming's brows furrowed slightly. He could not tell what medicine the other man was selling in his gourd.

Still, he stepped aside. "Please come in!"

After entering the courtyard, Chen Zi'ang first looked around and remarked, "Fellow Daoist Qin, this courtyard of yours is quite distinctive!"

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist Chen. How could it compare to the residences at the Spirit Feather Sect headquarters? Please come inside for a cup of tea," Qin Ming said modestly.

Chen Zi'ang shook his head and lowered his voice. "No tea."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I have a secret to tell you."

"But first, let me explain something."

"A few days ago, Senior Brother Jiang may have spoken to you rather harshly, but don't take it to heart. That's simply his temper—blunt and straightforward. Sometimes he even scolds me too, hehe."

Qin Ming: "..."

Why did those words sound so familiar? He seemed to have heard Jiang Kun say the very same thing himself.

"Let's not talk about that first," Chen Zi'ang continued.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, listen carefully to what comes next. It may very well be a tremendous opportunity for you!"

At those words, Qin Ming was deeply skeptical.

An enormous opportunity? Would this fellow really be so kind?

Chen Zi'ang cleared his throat and continued, "Half a month from now, Elder Zhuang Xiran, a Tier 2 High-Grade Spirit Planter of our sect, will publicly teach Spirit Plant knowledge at the headquarters. There is also a high chance that he intends to select a personal disciple."

"There are limited places for this lecture, and very few people know about it."

"After exhausting every possible means, I finally obtained one entry spot."

"I wish to give it to Fellow Daoist Qin as a token of apology. Not only will it greatly help you advance to a Tier 2 Spirit Planter in the future, but if Elder Zhuang takes a liking to you, you may truly soar into the sky in a single leap!"

After saying this, Chen Zi'ang took a Jade Talisman from his Storage Bag. The seal bore the seal-script character "Zhuang" and emanated a distinctive fluctuation of spiritual power. It appeared genuine.

He then piled on a smile and held the Jade Talisman out to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming did not hurriedly reach out to accept it.

He understood the saying: one who shows undue attentiveness without cause is either a traitor or a thief.

"What an unfortunate coincidence. The Spirit Fields on the mountain have entered the busy farming season this month, and I truly cannot spare the time."

"I appreciate Fellow Daoist Chen's kindness."

"Perhaps Fellow Daoist Chen should give it to someone else?"

After speaking, Qin Ming gave him an apologetic cupped fist salute.

Chen Zi'ang had just rattled off a long speech, originally wearing an expression of certain victory.

Yet Qin Ming rejected him without even giving it a thought, leaving him instantly awkward.

This is a lecture by a Tier 2 High-Grade Spirit Planter!

Is there something wrong with this kid's head? Or did I fail to explain myself clearly?

He just rejected it like that?

Chen Zi'ang gave an awkward smile. Then, seeming to think of something, he suddenly asked, "Could it be that Fellow Daoist Qin has no plans to continue advancing to a Tier 2 Spirit Planter?"

"I heard that Fellow Daoist Qin has already been helping Alchemist Su cultivate High-Grade Spirit Plants and Supreme Spirit Plants this year."

"If you succeed, I presume your next step will be to cross the threshold into a Tier 2 Spirit Planter."

"What does that have to do with advancing to a Tier 2 Spirit Planter?" Qin Ming froze, confused.

Chen Zi'ang showed a surprised expression. "Ah? Could it be that Fellow Daoist Qin does not know the requirements for advancing to a Tier 2 Spirit Planter?"

"Uh, I truly don't know. I had planned to visit the Hall of Affairs in the next few days to ask about it, but I haven't had the chance yet," Qin Ming answered honestly, without embarrassment.

Chen Zi'ang suddenly understood. He then smiled and said, "Ah, that explains it."

"Fellow Daoist Qin need not visit the Hall of Affairs. I can tell you about it."

"Advancing to a Tier 2 Spirit Planter is somewhat different from advancing as a First-rank Spirit Planter."

"Three conditions must be met at the same time."

"First, naturally, you must successfully plant and cultivate any Tier 2 Spirit Plant."

"Second, you need a recommendation from any Tier 2 Spirit Planter, because that is connected to the third condition."

"Third, you must enter the Flora Mirage Realm within the Spirit Feather Sect and complete its trial assessment."

"The recommendation slots for participating in the trial are naturally held by the Tier 2 Spirit Planter elders."

"Each elder can recommend three Spirit Planters to enter the Flora Mirage Realm at once."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, do not miss this opportunity! It is rare for an elder to publicly lecture and accept disciples."

After Chen Zi'ang finished speaking.

This time, it was Qin Ming's turn to be surprised.

He had not expected the requirements for advancing to a Tier 2 Spirit Planter to be so troublesome. Not only did he need a recommendation from a Tier 2 Spirit Planter, but he also had to take some Flora Mirage Realm trial.

This was truly maddening.

Qin Ming emerged from his thoughts, yet still said to Chen Zi'ang, "Thank you for informing me, Fellow Daoist Chen. However, my knowledge is still shallow. I do not even know whether I can break through to become a High-Grade Spirit Planter this year. A Tier 2 Spirit Planter is far too distant for me, so I will not consider it for now."

"..." Chen Zi'ang's expression turned somewhat ugly. He had nearly exhausted all his pleasant words, only for the other party to shut him down with a single sentence.

He was already burning with anger inside, but when he thought of his plan, he still forced a smile. "In that case, I shall not disturb Fellow Daoist Qin any longer."

"I will keep this spot for now. If Fellow Daoist Qin ever needs it, you may come to Mingzhen Pavilion and find me to claim it."

"I shall take my leave first."

Qin Ming wore a smile. "Take care, Fellow Daoist Chen. I will not see you out."

The conversation ended.

Chen Zi'ang left the Secluded Cool Abode.

On the roads of the market district.

After walking some distance, Chen Zi'ang finally snapped and cursed, "Fuck, that kid! I've been staking him out for days, yet he hides inside every day with his door shut and never comes out. Who the hell knows what he's doing? I'm really impressed!"

"After finally coming up with a brilliant idea to lure him out of the market district, damn it, he didn't react at all."

"Fuck, this is pissing me off!"

"Senior Brother Jiang even told me to do it without a sound."

"Why doesn't he come try it himself?"